Michelin x-ice, tires pressure?

[pongpong]

i am using Michelin x-ice 205/55R16 91Q, 16" steel rims, does anybody know the tire pressure for this model? wanna know how many lb is the best?

[Skarbro]

You use the same tire pressure that is recommended for the car - 32 psi. If you forget, it's on the sticker in the driver's doorway.

[jaM3ican]

this is something that i have trouble understanding. if you decide to change tires, which are made somewhat different throught out manufactures and types of tires. why do we still only use the recomended tire pressure?

As well if the tire says the max pressure is ie:42psi why would you not use this pressure

[Xerox]

if the tire says the max pressure is ie:42psi why would you not use this pressure

The words 'maximum' and 'recommended' mean two completely different things. Try using the 'max' pressure on your tires (winter/summers) and you'll see the un-even wear (it will wear in the center).
I believe the maximum pressure you see on side-wall is what the tire can handle safely without exploding. The recommended tire pressure would depend on several factors - one of which (I think) is the weight of the car.

[Fuman]

42 psi and you risk your tire exploding if you drive it hard.
Also at 42psi, if the temperature warms up enough, kaboom.

Tire pressure isn't too dependent on the tire (assuming you have the same size tire). You might notice a difference in ride comfort / handling though. The difference is caused by a difference in tire compounds and sidewall stiffness.

Try using 32psi. If you don't like it use 35psi. Adjust it accordingly.
Keep in mind every 10 degrees C = 3 psi. (rule of thumb is 10 degrees F = 1 psi)

[flylice13]

michelin x-ice is not recommended for the mazda 3's because they are Q rated. With that aside, Some people put a higher PSI during the winter time because it takes longer for your tires to heat up in cold weather. putting 35-36psi would be alright for your tires.

[PlatMS6]

For the Mazda 3 recomended is 32PSI on the stock tires, Mazda recomends adding 4 PSI to your winter tires when you mount them to make up for the larger tread blocks and softer side wall. So 35-36 PSI sounds about right...

The best way to find out is to pump them up to 34 psi, drive around a bit, then bring them to 36 and see what you preffer...

[Skarbro]

For the Mazda 3 recomended is 32PSI on the stock tires, Mazda recomends adding 4 PSI to your winter tires when you mount them to make up for the larger tread blocks and softer side wall. So 35-36 PSI sounds about right...

What is your source for this information?

[GGM3]

michelin x-ice is not recommended for the mazda 3's because they are Q rated. With that aside, Some people put a higher PSI during the winter time because it takes longer for your tires to heat up in cold weather. putting 35-36psi would be alright for your tires.

Why not? Q rating is good to 160 km/h which is more than enough for winter. V or H rating tires are not as good on ice, slush or deep snow.

[PlatMS6]

What is your source for this information?

Umm not sure about the 3 100% but in the MS6 manual Mazda recommends an additional 4PSI over the 38 for stockers...

I always ran 36 for winters in the 3 with Kumho KW19 (pure winter tire)... and 34 on the summers.

[Xerox]

32psi is the recommended tire pressure (of stock tires/wheels) when cold. I believe the rule-of-thumb is that 4psi when measuring pressure of warm tires (this should be mentioned in the manual or on the side of the door). I guess that's because the operating psi should really be 36psi. Now whether the Mazda 3 manual specifically states to add 4psi to cold winter tires is a different story... but wouldn't be too hard to believe.

[Skarbro]

I don't recall reading anything about that in the manual. It would make sense for it to say a higher pressure when warm (like in a shop installing the tires) since the pressure drops dramatically when it's very cold out. I measure the pressure in my driveway when cold, so 32 psi still sounds correct to me.

[Flagrum_3]

32psi is the recommended tire pressure (of stock tires/wheels) when cold. I believe the rule-of-thumb is that 4psi when measuring pressure of warm tires (this should be mentioned in the manual or on the side of the door). I guess that's because the operating psi should really be 36psi. Now whether the Mazda 3 manual specifically states to add 4psi to cold winter tires is a different story... but wouldn't be too hard to believe.

You should never take tire pressure readings when a tire is warm/hot... i.e; has been driven on....Like skarbro does, take it in the morning when tires are cold.As for tire pressure, I personally stick to 33psi summer or winter and found the on both sets, that they run well (handling, cornering, braking) and get good mileage, gas wise and thread life wise.


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[Wild Weasel]

NEVER EVER inflate your tires to the maximum listed on the sidewall!

This is the maximum the tires are designed to operate with.

When you drive, the friction causes the air in the tires to heat up. This can increase the pressure easily by 2 or 3 PSI, at which point you'll be over the max and risking damage.

Of course, as noted, you'll also get uneven tire wear due to over-inflation.

[flylice13]

Why not? Q rating is good to 160 km/h which is more than enough for winter. V or H rating tires are not as good on ice, slush or deep snow.

Q rated (x-ice) is made with completely different compounds than h or v rated (pilot alpin PA2/primacy alpin PA3) which affects your handling. Also, in emergency cases which occur alot more during winter time than summer, it will be much harder for you to stop your car with a Q rated tire than an H or V rated tire.
I work at a tire shop and I've seen many people come in with shredded tires because their vehicle requires H or V rated and they put on Q rated tires.

[Wild Weasel]

Vehicles "require" those higher ratings because they're capable of much higher speeds. You can go with the Q rated so long as you're aware of what you're running and don't exceed the specs.

If some idiot gets Q-rated tires and then goes running around at 190km/h, it's his own fault when they shred!

[Skarbro]

Yeah you won't damage the Q-rated tires as long as you stay within the speed specs for it (about 159 km/hr max).

[Xerox]

You should never take tire pressure readings when a tire is warm/hot... i.e; has been driven on....Like skarbro does, take it in the morning when tires are cold.As for tire pressure, I personally stick to 33psi summer or winter and found the on both sets, that they run well (handling, cornering, braking) and get good mileage, gas wise and thread life wise.


_3


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I'm not suggesting that pressure readings be taken when tires are warm. I'm only saying that from what I've seen, IF you're taking readings on warm tires the general rule of thumb is to add 4 psi to the recommended cold pressure. So using this logic I wouldn't be surprised that some prefer to inflate winter tires to approx. 4 psi over recommended psi. I too prefer to take readings on cold tires when the car is in the garage out of the sun but I'm sure that there has been cases when there's no choice but to take readings on warm tires. Never say never.

_xerox

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[Flagrum_3]

I'm not suggesting that pressure readings be taken when tires are warm. I'm only saying that from what I've seen, IF you're taking readings on warm tires the general rule of thumb is to add 4 psi to the recommended cold pressure. So using this logic I wouldn't be surprised that some prefer to inflate winter tires to approx. 4 psi over recommended psi. I too prefer to take readings on cold tires when the car is in the garage out of the sun but I'm sure that there has been cases when there's no choice but to take readings on warm tires. Never say never.

_xerox

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Okay, let me re-state; To get a proper tire pressure reading, your tire pressure must be checked with cool tires...this basically means that they have not been driven on.By driving on the tires they will heat up increasing the air pressure within, giving you a false reading. there is no general rule that I've ever heard of when it comes to heat vs. psi?? ...and its not very logical at all.Best thing to do is check your tire pressures cold, record them, drive to the nearest station, check tire pressures again to compare with original readings than add or remove air accordingly.Of course there might be situations where you have been driving, you stop for gas and notice a tire looks low, so you check them...just remember that the tire pressure you read at this point will be false (high).In that case say you have one tire low, take the readings of the 3 other tires and inflate the low tire to an average of the other three....next chance you get check them again cold.


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[Xerox]

Okay, let me re-state; To get a proper tire pressure reading, your tire pressure must be checked with cool tires...this basically means that they have not been driven on.By driving on the tires they will heat up increasing the air pressure within, giving you a false reading. there is no general rule that I've ever heard of when it comes to heat vs. psi?? ...and its not very logical at all.Best thing to do is check your tire pressures cold, record them, drive to the nearest station, check tire pressures again to compare with original readings than add or remove air accordingly.Of course there might be situations where you have been driving, you stop for gas and notice a tire looks low, so you check them...just remember that the tire pressure you read at this point will be false (high).In that case say you have one tire low, take the readings of the 3 other tires and inflate the low tire to an average of the other three....next chance you get check them again cold.


_3


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I completely agree with the methods you suggest on how to properly take tire pressure readings - I never suggested otherwise. The only reason I brought up the "rule-of-thumb" of adding 4 psi to warm tires is to suggest that adding 4 psi to winter tires (as suggested by another member) sounds logical. I'll admit that after reviewing the Mazda owner's manual and looking at the label on side of the door that there's no mention of adding 4 psi to warm tires. This however does not mean that the general rule-of-thumb does not exist. The reason why I believe in this rule is because I've seen such statements on cars from other manufactures (in manual and label on side of door) and it's suggested by various sources on the Internet.

Try http://www.motorcycle-karttires.com/additionalinformation.aspx > Tire Tips:

If you must add air when your tires are hot, add four pounds per square inch (4 psi)(28 kPa) above the recommended cold inflation pressure. Recheck the inflation pressure when the tire is cold.

And http://www.tenvoordeford.com/tire_tips.html:

Check pressure when tires are cold. A tire is cold after being stopped for three or more hours. If air must be added when the tires are hot, add four pounds per square inch (psi) (26 kPa) above the recommended cold air pressure

Just do a google search on "add 4 psi to warm tires" and you'll see that I'm not alone in following this rule. This rule is just a rough guide so I'm not going to try and explain the science behind it. Your suggested method of checking the pressure of other tires and getting the average sounds good and is probably a more accurate method. But what will you do if all other tires are out of whak and readings from them cannot be trusted to formulate an average psi?

[Xerox]

For the Mazda 3 recomended is 32PSI on the stock tires, Mazda recomends adding 4 PSI to your winter tires when you mount them to make up for the larger tread blocks and softer side wall. So 35-36 PSI sounds about right...


What is your source for this information?

Hey...Look what I found! Section 4-9 (Page 109) of 2006 Mazda 3 owner's manual:


Use snow tires on all four wheels Don't go faster than 120 km/h (75 mph) while driving with snow tires. Inflate snow tires 30 kPa (0.3 kgf/cm2, 4.3 psi) more than recommended on the tire pressure label (driver's door frame), but never more than the maximum cold-tire pressure shown on the tires. Your vehicle is originally equipped with all season radials designed to be used all year around. In some extreme climates you may find it necessary to replace them with snow tires during the winter months to further improve traction on snow and ice covered roads

[Flagrum_3]

I still don't agree with the recommended extra psi, it sounds too high....To answer your question, if I check my tires and they are all fracked, then I just pump them to 34psi and next chance I get I check them cold and I've always managed to get extreme life from my tires using the above mentioned methods.But hey its a free country do what you thinks best.


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[Skarbro]

Xerox - thanks for pointing that out. Does it say anything about filling it up cold or warm?

The bottom line though is that if it causes uneven tread wear, then the higher PSI is not correct. The tires should wear perfectly even. I'm gonna try the higher PSI though just to see.

[GGM3]

Q rated (x-ice) is made with completely different compounds than h or v rated (pilot alpin PA2/primacy alpin PA3) which affects your handling. Also, in emergency cases which occur alot more during winter time than summer, it will be much harder for you to stop your car with a Q rated tire than an H or V rated tire.
I work at a tire shop and I've seen many people come in with shredded tires because their vehicle requires H or V rated and they put on Q rated tires.

Q rated tires are softer and the only way they would shread is if the driver some how stomped on the breaks because they were going way too fast a few times that or they are doing burn outs with them. But either way Q rating is fine for the Mazda3 the only car that may need an H or V rating tire is the Speed3.

[Skarbro]

Well Xerox, I've just inflated my winter tires to 36 psi. We'll see how they are at the end of the season.

Incidentally, the manual for our Corolla doesn't mention anything about higher pressure for winter tires. So I've left that at the recommended pressure on the sticker.

[rbart4506]

Q rated (x-ice) is made with completely different compounds than h or v rated (pilot alpin PA2/primacy alpin PA3) which affects your handling. Also, in emergency cases which occur alot more during winter time than summer, it will be much harder for you to stop your car with a Q rated tire than an H or V rated tire.
I work at a tire shop and I've seen many people come in with shredded tires because their vehicle requires H or V rated and they put on Q rated tires.

I call BS on this one big time!

I'm running X-Ice on my GT and ran the X-Ice on my old GS and I never had any problems. I have enough sense to know that I'm on a winter tire and not my summers, so I slow the hell down! Not that I drive fast the rest of the time....

It's funny, but I bet most people who buy this car drive it way below the limits of the car or the tires...